The Census Bureau’s scientific integrity policy has been weakened after its parent agency removed language explicitly prohibiting political interference, following the release of a report linked to a Trump-aligned think tank. The change comes as concerns grow over potential bias in government data collection and analysis. Critics argue the shift undermines public trust in census findings, which inform everything from congressional representation to federal funding. The move raises questions about how independent federal agencies will remain amid heightened political pressures.
After the Census Bureau issued a report tied to a Trump-aligned think tank, the bureau's parent agency cut language banning political interference from its scientific integrity policy, NPR learned.
